Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

Our temperatures have finally cooled enough that we can give our air conditioners a bit of a break. Hopefully, yours has served you well throughout the long and hot summer months and even into fall and winter. As spring approaches, however, if you’re considering replacing your old AC system, now is the time.

In the most ideal situations, your aging air conditioner will break down at the end of the cooling season, when you don’t need it as much and when our HVAC technicians aren’t likely to be out on similar service calls. Of course, life doesn’t always work that conveniently, which is why it’s important that you know the signs that an Navarre Beach, FL air conditioner replacement might be necessary, soon!

Lack of Cooling

Are you finding that your air conditioner simply isn’t cooling as it once was, or not reaching the desired temperature on your thermostat? While this could be the sign of an improperly installed AC system to begin with, with an aging system that’s suddenly developed the problem it’s likely a sign of wear and tear. Sometimes it’s a problem that can be repaired, but this is definitely one of the biggest signs that your air conditioner is ready for an upgrade.

Lack of Air Flow

Perhaps your air conditioner is cooling, but the air doesn’t seem as powerful. First, check your air filter to ensure that it’s not clogged up with dirt and debris, which could very well be the case. If not, then your problem could be with a failing compressor. The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner, and if it’s degraded to the point that it’s showing signs of failure—particularly if you’ve kept up on maintenance—it would typically be much more cost effective to replace the whole system than to invest in repairs.

Constant Repairs

Even if you have your air conditioner tuned-up once a year as you should (or twice yearly if you have a heat pump), there is likely going to come a time where you need a repair or two. This is fine, as long as you don’t find yourself calling for repairs every few months. Once you’ve reached that point, it’s time to ask yourself how expensive your next repair is going to be. If it will cost ½ of what an AC replacement would, then a replacement is definitely a cost-effective alternative.

Odd Noises

A squealing noise could be indicative of a belt that has slipped out of place, while a clanging sound could be the sign of a loose component—both repairable issues. But consistent grating or grinding sounds from your air conditioning system could be signs of something more ominous—talk to us about your replacement options.

Maintenance

As mentioned above, AC maintenance is a yearly task that requires your due diligence. It’s during maintenance that our technicians will fully inspect and clean your unit, ensuring that there are no pressing repair issues. If we do make repair recommendations, it’s best to act on them quickly to avoid bigger problems down the line—such as premature replacement.